Elevator Real-Time Data Communication Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elevator systems face high material and maintenance costs due to complex cabling and multiple communication bus systems required for connecting central controllers with elevator cars and door control panels, which complicates communication and increases installation and repair efforts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a real-time data communication network that integrates media, control, and sensor data transmission using a single Ethernet-based communication line, allowing for simultaneous transmission of time-critical and non-time-critical data, reducing the need for multiple cables and interfaces, and utilizing programmable embedded processors for encoding and decoding data packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple fieldbuses and separate cables are used for different communication purposes (media data, control data, sensor data), then reliable communication can be established, but material costs, installation effort, and maintenance complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate communication fieldbuses (media data bus, control data bus, sensor data bus) into a single integrated Ethernet-based data communication network. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate cables and interfaces, directly reducing material costs and installation complexity while maintaining communication reliability through the unified network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ethernet-based communication line serves multiple functions simultaneously: transmitting media data, control data, and sensor data. This multi-functional approach replaces several dedicated communication lines with a single universal network infrastructure, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable data transmission for all elevator system components.
2Reliability
If separate bus systems are used for camera, alarm system, and information display, then each system operates reliably, but installation effort and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate bus systems for camera, alarm system, and information display into a single Ethernet-based network. This consolidation reduces installation effort by requiring only one communication infrastructure instead of multiple separate systems, while maintenance becomes simpler due to the standardized Ethernet protocol and reduced cable quantity.
3Reliability
If multiple types of wires (shielded wires, twisted pair wires) are used in the travelling cable, then communication reliability is maintained, but material costs and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional travelling cable containing multiple wire types (shielded wires, twisted pair wires) with a single Ethernet cable that handles all data transmission needs. This universal cable solution reduces material quantity while maintaining transmission reliability through Ethernet's error correction and protocol handling capabilities.
4Device complexity
If a real-time data communication network is implemented for simultaneous transmission of media data and control data, then cabling complexity is reduced, but ensuring timely arrival of critical data becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels to different data types within the same Ethernet network. Time-critical control data and sensor data receive prioritized handling with guaranteed bandwidth and latency requirements, while media data is transmitted with lower priority. This local quality differentiation ensures real-time data arrival reliability while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ethernet-based network implements feedback mechanisms including error detection, acknowledgment protocols, and quality of service (QoS) management. These feedback systems monitor data transmission status and adjust resource allocation dynamically, ensuring that critical control data arrives timely even when sharing the network with media data transmissions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an elevator system comprises receiving media data, receiving at least one of control data and sensor data, transmitting the media data and at least one of the control data and sensor data via a real-time data communication network between a central controller adapted for controlling a drive of the elevator system and a local controller, the local controller being provided in one of an elevator car control panel and a door control panel, wherein the real-time data communication network is adapted for transmitting data packets while ensuring that a data packet is transmitted during a maximal transmission time.